CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY, JAMES MEREDITH, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

TIMELINE

May 17, 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision announced by the Supreme Court of the United States.
January 21, 1961 James Meredith requests an application from the Registrar at the University of Mississippi.
January 26, 1961 James Meredith writes to NAACP LDF.
January 31, 1961 James Meredith submits application for admission.
May 25, 1961 Registrar formally rejects application.
May 31, 1961 Complaint and application for preliminary injunction filed in S.D. Miss.
June 8, 1961 Deposition of James Meredith.
June 12, 1961 Hearing on preliminary injunction application commences.
June 27, 1961 Hearing on defense application for adjournment.
August 10-11, 15-16, 1961 Preliminary injunction hearing resumed and August 15, August 16, 1961 completed.
December 12, 1961 Judge Mize denies application for preliminary injunction. 199 F. Supp. 754 (S.D. Miss. 1961).
December 18, 1961 Plaintiff moves Fifth Circuit to expedite appeal and admit Meredith.
January 9, 1962 Oral argument on application.
January 12, 1962 Fifth Circuit affirms but remands for prompt hearing. 298 F.2d 696 (5th Cir. 1962).
January 24, 1962 Hearing on remand commences before Judge Mize.
February 3, 1962 Judge Mize rules, reaffirming his earlier decision and dismissing Meredith’s complaint. 202 F. Supp. 224 (S.D. Miss. 1962).
February 5, 1962 Petition to Fifth Circuit for an injunction.
February 10, 1962 Oral argument on petition.
February 12, 1962 Petition denied. 305 F.2d 341 (5th Cir. 1962).
April 20, 1962 Oral argument on appeal.
June 25, 1962 Fifth Circuit reverses Judge Mize. 305 F.2d 343 (5th Cir. 1962).
July 27, 1962 Fifth Circuit vacates first of Judge Cameron’s stays. 306 F.2d 374 (5th Cir. 1962).
August 31, 1962 DOJ files amicus brief with Supreme Court at request of Justice Hugo Black.
September 10, 1962 Justice Black sets aside Judge Cameron’s stays and holds that the Fifth Circuit mandate should be obeyed.
September 13, 1962 Judge Mize enjoins University of Mississippi administrators from hindering James Meredith’s admission.
September 13, 1962 Governor Barnett’s proclamation on radio and TV that no school in the state will be integrated while he is governor.
September 28, 1962 Governor Barnett found guilty of civil contempt and ordered by Fifth Circuit to effect admission of Meredith or face arrest and fine. 313 F.2d 532 (5th Cir. 1962).
September 29, 1962 President Kennedy calls on government and people of Mississippi to cease and desist obstructing actions.
September 30, 1962 Rioting on campus of Ole Miss.
October 1, 1962 U.S. Army troops restore order. James Meredith registers.
June 12, 1963 Medgar Evers assassinated.
August 19, 1963 James Meredith graduates from University of Mississippi.

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